Habitable structure for marine environments

ABSTRACT

Scale habitable units are disclosed for use in marine environments, such as the open sea, which are inexpensive to assemble and maintain, while providing habitable space.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of commonly owned U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/645,542, entitled: Habitable StructureFor Marine Environments, filed on Mar. 9, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No.11,293,154, issued 5 Apr. 2022, which is a § 371 of commonly owned PCTApplication PCT/IL2018/051001, entitled: Habitable Structure For MarineEnvironments, filed on Sep. 6, 2018, which is related to and claimspriority from commonly owned U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 62/555,059, entitled: A Novel Non-Floating Marine Structure For AnOpen Sea, filed on Sep. 7, 2017, the disclosures of all of theaforementioned patent applications are each incorporated by reference intheir entirety herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed to habitable structures in marineareas and other over water environments.

BACKGROUND

Placing structures in the open sea is a complex and costly operation.The structures must have the ability to safely sustain waves, currents,storms, earthquakes, and winds, all conditions that can cause thestructure to dislodge from its anchoring and worse, capsizing. Toovercome these open sea conditions, contemporary solutions include,artificial islands, wave breakers, sea floor drilling and supplementalcolumns.

As a result of these engineering solutions, most open sea structures arelarge scale projects, such as oil and gas drilling rigs, wind powersupports and communication structures, such as mounted transmitters andreceivers. These projects typically require long term planning, alongwith huge financial and technical investments from public and privateentities. However, these structures are not environmentally friendly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to providing small scale habitableunits in marine environments, such as the open sea, which areinexpensive to assemble and maintain, while providing habitable space.The habitable units of the invention include a support structure withthe strength needed to safely sustain waves, currents, storms,earthquakes, and winds, while maintaining the stability of the habitableunit. The habitable units of the present invention are anchored to thesea floor, and do not float on the water (e.g., sea), so as to benon-floating.

The habitable units of the invention are environmentally friendly, asthey have a small footprint, limiting shading of the sea, and thesestructures do not change or alter the character of the sea floor and seabed, in which they are mounted. Additionally, the habitable units do notalter wave and current patterns, and are adaptable to their marine orsea environments.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a marine habitation system.The system comprises: a habitable chamber; and, a column incommunication with the habitable chamber at a first end and including asecond end, opposite the first end, for mounting in the sea bed, whereinthe chamber is moveable with respect to the column to adjust forvariable sea water levels.

Optionally, the column includes a portion in communication with aplatform of the habitable chamber, the portion configured for movingvertically to adjust the height of the habitable chamber.

Optionally, the habitable chamber includes a moveable portion incommunication with the column for moving the habitable chamber withrespect to the column.

Optionally the column portion is additionally configured to be rotatablefor rotating the habitable chamber.

Optionally, the moveable portion of the habitable chamber isadditionally configured to be rotatable for rotating the habitablechamber.

Optionally, the first end of the column for mounting in the sea bed issuch that the column is configured for anchoring in the sea bed.

Optionally, the habitable chamber additionally comprises a cover over atleast a portion of the platform.

Optionally, the marine habitation system additionally comprises a sinkresistant base for supporting the column.

Optionally, the sink resistant base includes an opening, and, thesupporting the column includes receiving the column in the opening, suchthat the column extends through the opening.

Optionally, the column extends through the opening and into the sea bed.

Optionally, the sink resistant base includes oppositely disposed firstand second sides, the first side for supporting the column, and thesecond side including an additional column extending from the secondside.

Optionally, the marine habitation system additionally comprises at leastone first anchor tethered to at least one of the columns or thehabitable chamber.

Optionally, the marine habitation system additionally comprises at leastone second anchor in communication with the at least one first anchor.

Optionally, the marine habitation system is such that the tetheringincludes at least one shock absorber.

Optionally, the marine habitation system is such that the tethering isadjustable in its length to maintain the column in a verticalorientation.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to constructing a marinehabitation system. The construction method comprises: obtaining ahabitable chamber and a column, the column including oppositely disposedfirst and second ends; mounting the first end of the column in the seabed; and, placing the habitable chamber into communication with thesecond end of the column, for moving the habitable chamber with respectto the column.

Optionally, the column is configured for at least one of: moving thechamber substantially vertically, and rotating the chamber.

Optionally, the habitable chamber is configured for at least one of:moving substantially vertically with respect to the column, and rotatingabout the column.

Unless otherwise defined herein, all technical and/or scientific termsused herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one ofordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Althoughmethods and materials similar or equivalent to those described hereinmay be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention,exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case ofconflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control.In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative onlyand are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are herein described, by wayof example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Withspecific reference to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that theparticulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrativediscussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, thedescription taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled inthe art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

Attention is now directed to the drawings, where like reference numeralsor characters indicate corresponding or like components. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus as deployed in a marineenvironment, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are longitudinal cross-sectional schematic views of theapparatus of FIG. 1 where the housing is at different heights;

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are transverse cross-sectional views of the housingof FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for the mounting and anchoring of the apparatus ofFIG. 1 in the sea floor;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a control system for the apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a second embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a third embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8A is a diagram of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8B is a diagram showing deployment of the apparatus of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8C is a diagram showing apparatus of FIG. 8A joined together;

FIG. 8D is a diagram showing multiple apparatus of FIG. 8A joinedtogether;

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a fifth embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention; and,

FIGS. 10A-10C are diagrams of grids for multiple apparatus of theinvention joined together.

An Appendix A is attached to this document.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Throughout this document terms of orientation, such as up, upward, down,downward, vertically and horizontally are used. The use of these termsis for explanation purposes, and is not in any way limiting.Additionally, orientations are references along x, y, z axes, where thex and y axes are coplanar, and the z axis, defining the vertical,extends perpendicular to the plane formed by the x and y axes, as shownin FIG. 4.

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 100 as a habitation unit in open water 102,such as a marine environment, including, for example, a sea, river,ocean, lake, lagoon, or any other body of water and the like. Theapparatus 100 is of a housing or housing unit 105, including a habitablechamber 110 (hereinafter “chamber”), and a lower platform 112. Thechamber 110 includes an interior 110 a, an optional balcony 110 b, witha passageway 110 c, for example, extending from the interior 110 a tothe platform 112, and includes stairs and the like. The chamber 110 isadapted for accommodating humans, animals, and the like. The platform112, for example, serves as an egress point, such as a walkway, from thechamber 110, as well as a dock, or the like. The apparatus 100 includesa column 114, which supports the housing unit 105. The column 114extends below the water level 102 a or water line, and is mounted in thesea bed 116, below the sea floor 117, and anchored to the sea floor 117.Throughout this document, the “sea floor” is the ground surface underthe water, and, the “sea bed” is the ground itself extending to thecenter of the Earth, under the sea floor.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show the apparatus 100 in schematic views in crosssection. The chamber 110, and its platform 112, attach to a mountingunit 120, which receives the column 114, at a first (upper) end of thecolumn 114 a. The column 114 is mounted in the sea bed 116, at itssecond (lower) end 114 b, opposite the first end 114 a, and the secondend 114 b of the column 114 extends into the sea bed 116, a sufficientdistance, for example, approximately 20 meters, to maintain the column114 in its vertical orientation.

The column 114 is, for example, oriented to define the Z axis of theapparatus 100, and is moveable vertically (along the z-axis), asindicated by the double headed arrow 114 z, and is also moveablerotatably (rotatable about the z-axis), as indicated by the arrow 114 r.The column 114 includes a segment 114 x that is moved vertically by amotor (not shown) or other movement mechanism, and extends from the body114 y of the column 114. The column 114 is moveable vertically, both upand down, for example, to be above the water level 102 a, and toaccommodate changes in the water level 102 a. The chamber 110 andplatform 112 can be moved upward, from a first position or height, asshown in FIG. 2A, to a second position, or height, greater than theheight of the first position, as shown in FIG. 2B. The column 114, viathe segment 114 x, is rotatable (by the motor or other movementmechanism), such that the chamber 110 and platform 112 may be rotatedalong a 360 degree arc (double-headed arrow 114 r). For example, asshown in FIGS. 2A and 29, the chamber 110 and platform 112 have beenrotated to accommodate the wind direction (represented by the arrow 125)creating a protected area 110′ for the chamber 110.

Turning also to FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, the apparatus 100 is shown asexample levels. As indicated above, a first level (FIG. 3A) includes theplatform 112. The chamber 110 includes a base level 130 a (FIG. 3B), andan upper level 130 b (FIG. 3C), and is covered by a roof 132 or cover.The roof 132 is, for example, a curved shape, so as to be aerodynamic,to face and accommodate winds. There may also be an open or uncoveredportion 110 b, which serves as a balcony. The enclosed portion of thechamber 110 defines the interior 110 a, such that the chamber 110 isenclosed from the elements, so as to be habitable by humans, pets,animals, and the like. The interior 110 a of the chamber 110, forexample, includes rooms such as bedrooms 133, and is such that it canaccommodate furniture, appliances, electricity and plumbing, so as to behabitable by humans.

FIG. 4 shows an example mounting and anchoring of the column 114 in thesea bed 116, and on the sea floor 117, respectively. The anchoring ofthe column 114 includes a tensioning system maintaining the column 114vertical (e.g., parallel to the z axis) at all times, so as to keep thehousing 105 horizontally balanced (horizontal with respect to the x-yplane), at all times. The tensioning system includes cables 140 a-140 c,which are attached or tethered (the terms “attached” and “tethered” usedinterchangeably herein, when referring to the connections of theanchors) at one end to pulleys 187 (not shown on the column 114, element187 in FIG. 5) on a tensioning collar 142, and at the other or oppositeend to anchors 144 a-144 c. The elements of wind (arrow 125), waves 135a and water current (arrow 135 b) are shown with respect to theapparatus 100 including column 114.

The pulleys 187 adjust tensioning in the cables 140 a-140 c. The cables140 a-140 c are tightened or released by being taken up or released bythe pulleys 187 (FIG. 5) or other take up mechanisms driven by motors186 c (FIG. 5), either attached to the column 114, or on the tensioningcollar 142. The pulleys 187 are also moved to control the tension in thecables 140 a-140 c, to keep the column 114 vertical, for example, inresponse to forces from currents, waves, tides, earthquakes and thelike, exerted on the column 114. The anchors 144 a-144 c serve asprimary or first anchors, as each primary anchor 144 a-144 c isoptionally attached, by cables 146 a-146 c, to one or more secondary orsecond anchors 148 a-148 c.

Shock absorbers 150 a-150 c are, for example, positioned along thecables 140 a-140 c for providing elasticity to the cables 140 a-140 c,and reducing forces applied to the apparatus 100, while providingadditional stability to the apparatus 100. For example, the cables 140a-140 c are typically taught, and the shock absorbers 150 a-150 cexhibit spring-like behavior to introduce some “play” into the cables140 a-140 c.

The cables 140 a-140 c, 140 (FIGS. 10A-10C), 146 a-146 c, 146 (FIGS. 10Band 10C) are for example, standard marine cables, made of metal orsynthetic ropes, including cables and/or ropes made from Dyneema.® SK78,from DSM Dyneema B. V., Urrnonderbaan 22 6167 RD Geleen, TheNetherlands.

While a tensioning collar 142 is shown, in alternate embodiments, thepulleys 187 can be directly attached to the column 114 or attached tothe chamber 110. Also, while three anchors 144 a-144 c are shown, anynumber of anchors, typically three or more, is suitable. Additionally,the secondary anchors 148 a-148 c are, for example, attached to othersecondary anchors, associated with other apparatus 100, when multipleapparatus 100 are joined together. These secondary anchors 148 a-148 cmay also be attached to other primary anchors, when multiple apparatus100 are joined together. The same holds true for the primary anchors 140a-140 c.

Various example anchoring arrangements including calculations associatedtherewith are provided in Appendix A, in FIGS. A-1, A-2 and A-3,attached to this document.

Optionally, there may be a column base plate 160, mounted in or on thesea floor 117 which includes an aperture or opening 162 for receivingthe column 114 (column body 114 y). The base 160 is sink resistant, asit prevents the column 114 from sinking into the sea bed 116. Additionalcables 164 a-164 c, attach the base plate 160 to the anchors 144 a-144c. Optionally, the column 114 at its lower end 114 b terminates in aconical point 170, for easier penetration into the sea bed 116. Thisconical point 170 also serves as an anti-drag pin. The column 114 or thecolumn base plate may also include a ball joint 172, which accommodatesan uneven sea floor 117, and maintains the column 114 in a stableposition in a vertical orientation, with respect to the water line ofthe water surface 102 a.

Optionally, the column base plate 160 may receive the column 114 on itsupper (water 102 facing) side and another column extends from the lower(sea bed 116 facing) side and into the sea bed 116, for mounting theapparatus 100.

Optionally, the apparatus 100 may be mounted in the sea bed 116 by onlythe column 114, without any anchors, such as the aforementioned primaryanchors 144 a-144 c and secondary anchors 148 a-148 c.

As shown in FIG. 5, the apparatus 100 may include sensors and a controlsystem 180, which is processor based, to move the column 114 vertically,adjusting the height of the chamber 110 and/or platform 112, rotatingthe chamber 110, and/or the platform 112, and maintaining the column 114in its vertical orientation, by adjusting the tension on the cables 140a-140 c. The control system 180 includes a processor based controller182, which is in electronic and/or data communication with sensors 184a-184 c, and a manual input unit 185, and motors or movement mechanisms186 a, 186 b, 186 c. A first motor 186 a is for moving the column 114(column segment 114 x) vertically. A second motor 186 b is for rotatingthe column 114 (column segment 114 x), so as to rotate the chamber 110,and a third motor(s) is for rotating the pulleys 187. For example, thecontrol system 180 is dynamic, in that it operates continuously, bycontinuously sensing conditions associated with the apparatus 100, andmaking instantaneous adjustments, for example, automatically and in realtime.

For example, there are wave sensors 184 a, mounted on the apparatus 100,for example, along the column 114 or on the housing 105, which detectthe wave or water level 102 a height, and send this data to thecontroller 182. The controller 182 then calculates the increase ordecrease in height and signals the column 114 (column segment 114 z)motor 186 a to move correspondingly upward or downward. There are windsensors 184 b, mounted on the apparatus 100, for example, along thecolumn 114 or on the housing 105, which detect the wind speed and/orwind direction, send this data to the controller 182. The controller 182then calculates the rotation of the column 114 (column segment 114 x)which minimizes wind resistance, and signals the column 114 (columnsegment 114 x) rotation motor 186 h, to rotate the corresponding arclength for wind resistance or defense. There are vertical sensors 184 c,mounted on the apparatus 100, at the column 114, which detect verticalmovements in the column 114. This sensed data is sent to the controller182. The controller 182 then calculates the rotation of the pulley 187to control cable 140 a-140 c tensioning, e.g., take up or release cable140 a-140 c to offset any opposite vertical movement and keep the column114 vertical.

There is also a manual input 185, through which a user can activate thecontroller 182, so as to manually control chamber 110 positioning,vertical height and rotation, as well as column 114 verticaladjustments, via cable tensioning. This manual input 185 may be acomputerized device, such as a smart phone, iPad®, keyboard mounted inthe chamber 110, or other device which links to the controller 182 viaan on-line or link, such as over networks, such as the Internet,cellular, satellite communication networks, and the like, or over awired link, in the case of the keyboard.

The aforementioned sensors 184 a-184 c may also be located remote to theapparatus 100. For example, in the case of multiple apparatus 100 joinedtogether, the sensors 184 a-184 c can be at a central location, withrespect to all of the apparatus 100.

In alternate embodiments, the column segment 114 x may be part of thehousing 105, and attach to the column body 114 y. This column segment114 x of the housing 105 vertically moves (along the z axis) and/orrotates the chamber 110 and/or the platform 112, as detailed above.

In other alternate embodiments, the column 114 accommodates the chamber110 and platform 112, such that they move vertically and rotatablyindependent of each other.

FIGS. 6, 7, 8A-8D and 9 show alternate apparatus 100 a-100 d, which aresimilar in construction to apparatus 100, with corresponding elementsbeing numbered the same as for apparatus 100, and in accordance withthat described above.

In FIG. 6, apparatus 100 a is mounted in the ground 188 of a breakwater189, which is close to the shoreline. The platform 112 extends to theshoreline or to the breakwater upper surface 189 x. The mounting intothe ground 188 is similar to that shown for the apparatus 100 in FIGS.2A and 2B.

In FIG. 7, the apparatus 100 b is such that the column 114 is above orin contact with the sea floor 117. The column 114 is held in place byanchors 144 a-144 c tethered to the column 114, for example, at pulleys187 FIG. 5, not shown in FIG. 7) by cables 140 a-140 c. The anchors 144a-144 c are typically primary anchors, as each anchor 144 a-144 c isoptionally also tethered, via a cable or the like, to at least onesecondary anchor (not shown), similar to secondary anchors 148 a-148 c.

FIG. 8A the apparatus 100 c is such that the column 114 is mounted onthe platform 112, in a manner where the column 114 is movable verticallyand rotatably, to move the chamber 110 vertically and rotatably, inaccordance with that detailed above. Legs 190 a-190 c extend from theplatform 112 into the sea floor 117 to mount the apparatus 100 c in thesea floor 117. The three legs 190 a-190 c are independent of each otherto accommodate unevenness of the sea floor 117 (and the sea bed 116under the sea floor 117). The legs 190 a-190 c may be supported byanchors (not shown), primary and/or secondary, as detailed above.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the apparatus 100 c can be towed to its location bya boat or the like 192, where during towing the legs 190 a-190 c are upand not in contact with the sea floor 116. Once the location for theapparatus 100 c is reached, the legs 190 a-190 c are deployed, by beingextended downward from the platform 112 into the sea floor 117. The legs190 a-190 c may then be mounted in the sea bed 116 and/or anchored onthe sea floor 117 with the primary and/or secondary anchors, as detailedabove.

FIG. 8C shows two apparatus 100 c joined together at the legs 190 a-190c by being tethered together by a cable 194 or the like. FIG. 8D showsthe chambers 110 of the apparatus 100 c, when the apparatus 100 c areconnected to each other in accordance with that shown in FIG. 8C.

FIG. 9 shows an apparatus 100 d similar to the apparatus 100 of FIGS. 2Aand 2B, except that the column 114 is mounted in a dish-like receptacle195. The receptacle 195 sits on the sea floor 117, but may be sunk orotherwise placed into the sea bed 116.

FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C are examples of apparatus 100, as implemented invarious grid patterns in a system. In FIG. 10A, the apparatus 100(represented by columns 114) are tethered together (by a cable 140) viaprimary 144 and secondary 148 anchors. In FIGS. 10B and 10C, theapparatus 100 (represented by columns 114) are tethered together (by acable 140) via primary 144 (apparatus 100 of block AA as shown by darklines for the cable 140) and secondary 148 (apparatus 100 of block AA asshown by light lines for the cable 140) anchors, where a secondaryanchor 148 for one apparatus 100 is a primary anchor 144 for anotherapparatus 100. Border anchors 149 are at the perimeter of the system.

While the apparatus 100 of the invention have been shown in a marineenvironment, the apparatus 100 may also be adapted and used on dry landand swamps, in accordance with that detailed above.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction withembodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modificationsand variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scopeof the appended claims.

1. A marine habitation system comprising: a habitable chamber; amonopole including a single column, the column including: a first end incommunication with the habitable chamber, the communication such thatthe habitable chamber is movable substantially vertically and/orrotationally with respect to the monopole; and, a second end, oppositethe first end, the second end for mounting in a sea bed; a sinkresistant base for supporting the column at the second end of thecolumn, the sink resistant base including an opening, and, the column isreceived in the opening, such that the second end of the column extendsthrough the opening.
 2. The marine habitation system of claim 1, whereinthe second end of the column extends through the opening and into thesea bed.
 3. The marine habitation system of claim 1, wherein the sinkresistant base includes oppositely disposed first and second sides, thefirst side for supporting the column, and the second side including anadditional column extending from the second side.
 4. The marinehabitation system of claim 3, additionally comprising at least one firstanchor tethered to at least one said column.
 5. The marine habitationsystem of claim 4, additionally comprising at least one second anchor incommunication with the at least one first anchor.
 6. The marinehabitation system of claim 4, wherein the at least one first anchortethered to the at least one said column includes at least one shockabsorber.
 7. The marine habitation system of claim 4, wherein the atleast one first anchor tethered to the at least one said column isadjustable in length, such that the at least one first anchor maintainsthe at least one said column in a substantially vertical orientation.